Ricci handed second opportunity to impress with starting spot in Milan-Fiorentina

Samuele Ricci is expected to get the nod in Milan’s game against Fiorentina, and after his cameo from start against Lecce, it’s a second opportunity that he must seize. 

Ricci hasn’t had the best of starts to the season. Not because of his performances on the pitch, but rather because of his lack of minutes. Indeed, after a pre-season in which he was almost always a starter, the 24-year-old hasn’t played a single league game from start.

Of course, having had such a key role at Torino too, it must be difficult for the midfielder to sit on the bench so much. Some bench time was always expected, given Luka Modric’s arrival, but perhaps Ricci didn’t expect it to be this much.

An opportunity to seize

Tomorrow, it looks like Ricci will finally get his big chance in the league. The midfielder played from start in the Coppa Italia clash Lecce, but he only got 45 minutes after a first half that left a lot to be desired. This is something we also highlighted in our player ratings for the game.

To make a long argument short, the former Torino man didn’t take his chance against Lecce, which makes tomorrow’s game even more important. Seeing as Luka Modric will start as well, Ricci will play to the left in the midfield, which will give him slightly different responsibilities.

Photos: Marco Luzzani + Giuseppe Cottini/Getty Images

During pre-season, we saw that he isn’t afraid to drive forward with the ball, whilst also focusing a lot on the team’s balance (i.e. when to push forward and when to drop back). Since Rabiot is a master of this, Ricci will have to try to replicate that tomorrow.

Stefano Pioli, the head coach of Fiorentina, also made it clear during his presser that they will try to limit Modric as much as possible. That should leave Ricci with more space to showcase his brilliant passing. All things considered, it’s a great opportunity for the midfielder.